Panel positioning apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A prefabricated panel positioning device for placing the panel in its proper location on a foundation. A hooking assembly is secured to the edge of the panel and lifting forces are applied thereto to lift the panel from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position. The hooking assembly supports the upper frame of the panel and includes a capturing member which selectively prevents disengagement of the panel. An independent dolly is provided which includes a wheeled frame. The dolly supports the lower edge of the panel and horizontally moves it by means of the wheels. The dolly is provided with a jacking device which is utilized to gently lower the panel onto the foundation. The hook and dolly cooperate to position the panel.

United States Patent [191 Moore [451 Jan. 1,1974

[ PANEL POSITIONING APPARATUS AND METHOD [76] Inventor: Charles H.Moore, 245 Merced St.,

Salinas, Calif. 93901 [22] Filed: Aug. 6, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 169,772

2,589,954 3/1952 Neil 214/1 H X Primary Examiner Gerald M. ForlenzaAssistant ExaminerFrank E. Werner Attorney-Peter H. Smolka [57] ABSTRACTA prefabricated panel positioning device for placing the panel in itsproper location on a foundation. A hooking assembly is secured to theedge of the panel and lifting forces are applied thereto to lift thepanel from a generally horizontal position to a generally verticalposition. The hooking assembly supports the upper frame of the panel andincludes at capturing member which selectively prevents disengagement ofthe panel. An independent dolly is provided which includes a wheeledframe. The dolly supports the lower edge of the panel and horizontallymoves it by means of the wheels. The dolly is provided with a jackingdevice which is utilized to gently lower the panel onto the foundation.The hook and dolly cooperate to position the panel.

16 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENIEnm H974 3782.771

' samuora FIG. 7 FIG.8

I PANEL POSITIONING APPARATUS AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to the handling of prefabricated building panelsand more particularly to methods and apparatus for supporting anassembled panel while the panel is being transported from one locationto another .at the building site.

The construction industry has, for years, built homes on an individualbasis by fabricating a structure at the building site. Inherent in thismode of operation are problems of time and economy. First, lumber andother materials necessary .to fabricate the building must be depositedon-site and each piece of lumber cut and measured to fit. In addition,materials such as paneling and siding must remain at the buildinglocation to be cut .once the frame is constructed. it can be appreciatedthat this requires a great number of workmen on-site who must saw andhammer without the advantage of factory automation. One must alsoremember that weather conditions can serve to disrupt constructiontimetables and damage materials.

A partial answer to this dilemma has been the use of prefabricated rooftrusses and window frames which help to speed construction and cutcosts. However, these advantages are somewhat limited by the need tostore these parts at the building site.

As noted, it has been found to be more economical to assemble variouselements before they are utilized in the construction of the building.Making of these prefabricated elements, is greatly facilitated by theuse of mass production techniques, such as have been utilized sosuccessfully in the automobile industry. Prefabricated buildingcomponents have been expanded to include entire wall panels and framesections. The new techniques available include automatic nailing guns,heavy duty table saws and other automated equipment which are kept atone central location. The wood utilized in constructing building panels,for example, is stored at a central location and is cut in such a manneras to reduce any lumber wastage. Additionally, supplies utilized in thepre-fabrication are delivered to one central location thereby minimizinglogistics problems associated with supplying a number of building siteswith suitable materials.

Additional advantages can be seen in the reduction of materials stolenfrom the job sites by keeping these materials at one location which maybe fenced or otherwise protected. Labor costs are significantly cut bythe utilization of manpower in such a manner as to construct a number ofpanels at a particular time regardless of the weather or other outsideinfluences. It is envisioned that even the plumbing and other requiredsubsystems may be installed when the panels are constructed. Studspacing and other measuring tasks are accomplished by means of a masterjig or templet. Window frames and even siding, if installed at thisstage, also serves to reduce total construction costs.

While many advantages are apparent in building prefabricated panels at acentral location, many problems have been encountered in the past whichhave hamper'ed the use of this concept. For example, the panels must betransferred from a truck which delivers the pre-constructed panels tothe individual building locations to be properly positioned on afoundation. This transfer operation must be accomplished with great careso that the panels are not damaged and yet must be a relatively fastprocedure due to the desirability of keeping labor costs to a minimum.Any apparatus utilized in this transfer and positioning operation mustalso be simple to operate and be capable of adapting to a variety ofpanel sizes. These problems have not been heretofore successfullysolved.

Generally, the pro-constructed panels are delivered to the building sitelying flat and piled on one another with appropriate spacing membersbetween the individual panels. While the panels may be placed in asimilar manner at the site for subsequent installation, it has beenfound to be more economical to transfer the panels directly from thetruck that delivered them to their proper position on the buildingfoundation. The panels, then, must be efficiently transferred from aflat horizontal position to a generally vertical position for properinstallation.

Hooking apparatus utilized in the prior art was generally cumbersome anddifficult to use. Also when the structure was being lowered forpositioning it would swing in a haphazard manner thereby hamperingaccurate positioning of the structure.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of theinvention to provide a method and apparatus for transferring anderecting pre-fabricated panels which can be employed with speed andefficiency thus greatly reducing building costs.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide an easyto use panel hooking assembly engageable with an edge portion of thepanel.

Yet another object is to provide a panel mover cooperating with ahooking device to receive a panel and accurately position the panelvertically and to gently lower the panel onto a foundation.

A preferred embodiment of the invention, intended to accomplish at leastsome of the foregoing objects comprises a lifting device including ahooking assembly engageable on an edge of the panel. The hookingassembly raises the panel and transfers it from a generally horizontalposition to a generally vertical position and onto a mover or dollyassembly. The mover assembly includes a supporting surface whichsupports the lower edge of the panel. The panel while supported by aportion of the mover assembly is still held vertically by the hookingassembly. The mover assembly also includes a guiding device whichfacilitates transferring the panel directly to its intended location onthe foundation. The mover assembly is also provided with a jackingdevice which lowers the generally vertical panel directly to thefoundation.

The hooking assembly is adjustable to receive variously sized panels.The hooking assembly is also provided with a locking feature whichprevents the dislodging of a lifted panel prior to the appropriateplacement thereof.

The mover assembly includes a frame which is movable horizontally bymeans of rollers to guide the panel supported thereon. The supportingportion of the dolly moves vertically relative to the frame and isoperable to gently lower the panel on a foundation. A portion of theframe acts as a track upon which the supporting portion may ride forvertical positioning. A jacking device is utilized to impart relativevertical movement between the supporting portion and the frame.

THE DRAWINGS This preferred embodiment of the invention is illustratedin the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the panel elevating and lifting device inits open position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the panel elevating and liftingdevice engaged with the beamed edge of a panel;

FIG. 3 is a bottom elevational view of the device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the horizontal mover and guidingassembly;

FIG. 5 is a rear end elevational view of the mover of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the mover of FIG.

FIG. 7 illustrates the panel elevating and lifting device engaged withthe periphery of a panel lying horizontally;

FIG. 8 shows the panel being lifted by the panel elevating and liftingdevice;

FIG. 9 depicts the mover supporting the panel which is being deliveredto it by the lifting device and moving it horizontally for positioning;and

FIG. 10 shows the mover lowering the panel into position on afoundation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1-3 there is shown a preferredform of the vertical lifting device or hooking assembly 11 of thepresent invention.

The hooking assembly 11 includes a supporting member 13 which isslidably received in an elongated hollow tubular member 23 having agenerally square cross section. A supporting flange 25 extends inwardlyfrom the lower end of the member 13. As can be more clearly seen in FIG.2, the headers 19 of the panel rest on the flange 25 and are supportedfor vertical lifting therewith. The member 23 is also provided with aplurality of holes 27 which extend through the member.

A capturing means or member is provided with a square hollow collarportion or sleeve 29 having an inner dimension larger than that of thetubular member 23. This portion 29 is slidable about the member 23 andis free to move from the hook 25 to an upper flange 31 attached to theupper end of member 23. The'sleeve 29 is also providedfwith .a hole 33which extends through both sides thereof. This hole is positioned insuch a manner that it may be aligned with the holes 27 in the member 23.Once two holes are in registry, a circular locking pin 37 may be slidthrough the holes thereby locking the vertical position of the collarportion 29 relative to the tube 23. A spring retaining member 39 extendsfrom a collar 41 to hook onto a protruding end of the pin 37. The spring39 is biased away from the pin 37 thereby holding the pin within thealigned holes 27 and 33.

It can be appreciated that the collar 29 and tubular member 23 may be ofcylindrical or any other shape as long as there may be relative slidingmovement therebetween.

The capturing member 15 is also provided with a second hollow sleeveindicated at 41. This sleeve is attached to the sleeve of collar 29 bymeans of adjustment means or interfitting bridging portions 21. A seriesof holes 43 are provided in these interfltting portions 21 so thathorizontal adjustements between the sleeve 41 and the collar 29 may bemade. In the preferred embodiment three such positions are provided.Bolts 45, or other securing devices, may be used to hold the collar 29and sleeve 41 at the desired spacing. Wall panels of various widths canbe accommodated within the area 47 above the flange 25 as shown moreclearly in FIG. 2.

A lifting means or hooking assembly 49 extends upwardly from and isattached to the adjusting means 21. This hooking assembly is providedwith a hole 51 of suitable size to receive a crane hook so that theentire lifting device 11 holding a panel such as 17 can be raised. Areinforced plate 53 is provided above the hole 51. This plate aids instrengthening the hook assembly when lifting forces are applied thereto.

A confining bar 55 is vertically slidable within the sleeve 41. This baris provided with a flange 57 which acts as an upper stop for preventingthe disengagement of the bar 55 from the sleeve 41. A locking pin 59 andretaining spring 61 cooperate to keep the bar 55 in the desired verticalposition in a similar manner as that previously discussed with relationto locking pin 37. The sleeve 41 and bar 55 are provided with throughholes which may be aligned for receiving the pin 59. The lower end ofthe bar 55 is provided with a plate 63 which extends outwardly on eitherside of the bar. The plate 63 and bar 55 are shown in their up orreleasing position in FIG. 1. When in this position a panel section maybe inserted or removed. As noted with reference to FIG. 1, the pin 59 isshown engaged in a hole in the bar 55 which positions the plate 63 inthe "up position.

FIG. 2 shows the bar 55 and plate 63 in a down" or locking position forpreventing the removal of the panel 17. As can be seen, the headers 19rest upon and are supported by the flange 25. They are also capturedwithin area 47 by the interposition of plate 63 thereby preventingremoval of the panel 17 until the plate 63 is in the up position.

During operation, the capturing assembly 15 may be adjusted for the typeof structures being handled by insertion of the pin 37 in the properhole 27 in the tubular member 23. The spacing between the supportingflange 25 and the lower edge of the bridge portion 21 may then beappropriately selected. Once this spacing is set, the sleeve 41 may bemoved and adjusted relative to the collar 29 to accommodate headers ofvarying depths. The bridge portion may then be locked by means of theaforementioned bolts 45. These two adjustments may only be made one timefor a particular job site.

Once these adjustments have been made, the workmen need only select oneof the two previously mentioned positions for bar 55 to position theplate in its up or down position. The spring retainer 62 is then merelyunhooked from the pin 59 and the pin is removed. Then the bar 55 is slidto its proper position relative to the sleeve 41. The holes in thesleeve and bar are then again brought into registry and the pin 59 isreinserted and locked into place by means of the spring 51.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6 there is shown the horizontal mover andguiding assembly 65.

The mover assembly or dolly 65 includes a frame means 67 having a U"shaped lower portion 69. Transport means including casters or rollers 71are provided at the open ends of this frame portion and centrallythereof these casters 71 may be of any suitable type provided thathorizontal movement of the dolly 65 is not hampered. The rollers orwheels 71 also may pivot about a vertical axis so that the dolly may beaccurately guided horizontally.

Two upwardly extending frame sections 73 are spaced from one another bya cross member or beam 75. A second cross sections 77 spans the section73 at a position generally centrally thereof. Two metal braces extenddownwardly at an angle from the cross member 77 and serve to aid inbracing a counterbalancing weight 79. A handle 81 is provided on theweight 79 and is secured thereto by welding or other suitable means.Forces exerted on.,the dolly through the frame 67 serve to cause thedolly to roll, and a panel being held thereon, to roll to any positionon the foundation.

A support means or lifting assembly 83 slides vertically along the framesections 73. For this purpose roller assemblies 85 extend from verticalmembers 87. These roller assemblies include opposing end plates 89between which rollers 91 are provided. The members 87 are spaced fromone another by means of a cross beam 97. The rollers 91 are disposed oneither side of section 73 and are slidable thereon. The sections 73,therefore, act as tracks to guide the roller assemblies 85 and thelifting apparatus 83 for vertical travel relative thereto.

The lifting assembly is provided, at its lower edge, with a pair ofoutwardly extending elongated arms 93 having plates or flanges 95 on theends thereof. These flanges support a lower edge of a prefabricatedpanel placed thereon. An additional pair of elongated arms 99 extendoutwardly from the upper ends of members 87 and are generally parallelto the lower arms 69. A dowel member 101 is secured to the insides ofthese arms and maintains the spacing therebetween. A collar 103 isslidable longitudinally along the dowel 101 and is provided with a metalplate 105 having holes 107 therein. This plate may be secured to thecollar 103 by welding or other suitable means. The holes 107 are forreceiving nails which may be hammered into a stud on the prefabricatedpanel.

Angle irons 109 face outwardly of the arms 99 and are attached at theends thereof. These irons aid in holding the panel which is resting onflanges 95. The irons 109 are also provided with holes therein forreceiving nails which may be driven into the headers on theprefabricated panel. Additional plates 11] are slidably positioned uponthe lower arms 93. Once the panel is resting upon the flange 95 theseplates 11] may be slid outwardly and nails may be driven through holes113 into a portion of the prefabricated panel. This prevents the bottomedge of the wall from sliding off of the flange 95. A slot 115 in theplate 111 cooperates with a bolt 117 which screws into the arms 93 sothat the plate may be set in a number of positions.

For added stability and security during windy conditions, rope hooks 119project upwardly from the members 87 and are preferably welded thereto.These hooks are in the form of bent iron bars of sufficient diameter togive adequate security to the assembly 65.

A hydraulic jack 121 having a jacking handle 123 acts between crossmembers 75 and 97 to vertically position the lifting assembly 83relative to the frame means 67. This hydraulic jack may be of anysuitable type sufficient to efficiently position the assembly 83-OPERATION AND SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, thereis shown in schematic representation the method of the invention.

The hooking assembly 11 is suitably attached to the panel 17 which isusually lying in a generally horizontal plane either on a flat-bed truckor on the ground at the building site. A crane hooking device 18 isattached to the assembly 11 and lifting forces are applied theretothrough a cable 20. The panel will be caused to leave the ground and beheld by the hooking device 18 in a generally vertical manner.

The panel is then moved by the cable 10, to the awaiting dolly 65. Thelower edge of the panel is supported on the-flange extending from thearms 93 (see FIG. 9). The top edge of the panel rests against the angleirons 109 secured to the upper arms 99 and is prevented from tipping.While the hooking device 18 is still attached, aiding to support thepanel, the dolly 65 is rolled along the foundation by means of thewheels 71. As was previously noted, the studs and headers of the panel17 may be further secured to the arms 99 and 93 by utilizing nailsdriven through the plate 95, angle irons 109 and-the plate beingprovided with holes for that purpose. It can be appreciated that any orall of these additional fastening means may be utilized.

Bolts 133 are shown in FIG. 9 protruding upwardly from the foundationand provide anchoring points for the lower portions of the panel 17which have holes therein with which the bolts may be aligned. The dolly65 is used to position the holes in the panel directly over the bolt133. While a bolt is shown for the purpose of illustration, it can beappreciated that other arrangements may be used.

Once the panel is guided to its proper location; it is gently loweredonto the foundation as shown in FIG. 10. This is accomplished byutilizing the jacking mechanism 121 which has been previously discussed.Of course, the safety lock 125 would be disengaged. The dolly may thenbe moved away leaving the panel 17 to be appropriately nailed intoposition.

It can be seen that a simple, yet efficient, apparatus and method isdisclosed for accurately positioning prefabricated building panels onawaiting foundations.

The hooking assembly is provided with both width and height adjustmentsso that panels with headers of varying sizes could be accommodated. Itwas pointed out that the panel rested mainly on a support flange and wascaptured by means of an easily adjustable sliding member.

A dolly is also provided for cooperating with the hooking assembly toaid in the final positioning of the pre-fabricated panel. This dollyadvantageously supports the panel along a lower edge thereof and isprovided with auxiliary fastening means to insure panel stability.

Of additional significance is the provision of the jacking device whichis available to vertically position the panel with a minimum of effort.This jacking device is most advantageously used to lower the panel ontothe foundation for attachment thereto.

Also of importance are the safety features which help reduce on-siteaccidents. For example, the safety lock which is included to selectivelystop relative movement between the frame and the lifting assembly. Also,providing a counterweight insures that the entire dolly will not tipover when supporting a panel.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with onepreferred and illustrated embodiment, it will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that additions, modifications, substitutions anddeletions not specifically described may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for vertically lifting pre-constructed building panels, saidpanels having frame members extending along the top and bottom, thedevice comprising:

support means having a portion thereof engagable with an undersurface ofthe top frame member, said support means including a sleeve memberhaving at least one hole therethrough, a support member slidablypositioned within said sleeve member and having a plurality of holestherein, said holes in said members being selectively alignable, andlocking pin means passing through said aligned holes for selectivelypreventing relative movement between said support member and said sleevemember,

capturing means selectively cooperating with said support means forpreventing disengagement of said top frame member from said supportmeans portion when said member is engaged by said portion,

adjustment means acting between said support means and said capturingmeans for receiving panels of varying depths therebetween, and

said capturing means including lifting means for vertically raising apanel secured within said device. 2. The device according to claim 1wherein said support member includes an inwardly projecting flange meansfor supporting the undersurface of the top frame member.

3. A device for vertically lifting pre-constructed building panels, saidpanels having frame members extending along the top and bottom, thedevice comprising:

support means having a portion thereof engageable with an undersurfaceof the top frame member,

capturing means selectively cooperating with said support means forpreventing disengagement of said top frame member from said supportmeans portion when said member is engaged by said portion, saidcapturing means including a bar member having a laterally extendingplate thereon for selectively interacting with said support means, saidsupport means including a sleeve portion, said bar member being slidabletherein, said sleeve portion and said bar member being provided withalignable holes therethrough, and pin means selectively positionablewithin said aligned holes for preventing movement of said bar memberrelative to said support means,

adjustment means acting between said support means and said capturingmeans for receiving panels of varying depths therebetween, and saidcapturing means including lifting means for vertically raising a panelsecured within said device.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein said adjustment meansincludes:

interfitting bridging portions on each of said capturing means and saidsupport means,

said interfitting bridging portion being provided with a plurality ofalignable holes, and

securing means passing through said aligned holes for preventing furthermovement thereof.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said securing means comprisesa plurality of bolts.

6. A panel elevating and positioning device engageable with a beamededge of a predetermined building panel comprising:

a main support member,

an elongated tubular member slidable within said support member, saidtubular member having a flange thereon for providing a support surfacefor the beamed edge of the panel being elevated,

a vertically positionable capturing member slidable within said mainsupport member for enclosing an open side of said beamed edge andpreventing the disengagement thereof from said support member, and

lifting means associated with said support member through which verticallifting forces may be transmitted through said device to said panel.

7. The device according to claim 6 further comprising:

adjustment means on said support member for adjusting the spacingbetween said tubular member and said capturing member.

8. The device according to claim 6 wherein said sup- 40 port memberincludes:

a sleeve member having at least one hole therethrough,

said tubular member being slidably positioned within said sleeve memberand having a plurality of holes therein,

said holes in said members being selectively alignable, and

locking pin means passing through said aligned holes for selectivelypreventing relative movement between said tubular member and said sleevemember.

9. The device according to claim 7 wherein said adjustment meansincludes: 7

interfitting bridging portions on said support member,

said interfitting bridging portions being provided with a plurality ofalignable holes, and securing bolts passing through said aligned holesfor preventing further movement thereof.

10. The device according to claim 6 wherein said capturing memberincludes:

a bar having a laterally extending plate thereon for selectivelyinteracting with said tubular member,

said support member including a sleeve portion, said bar being slidabletherein,

said sleeve and said bar being provided with alignable holestherethrough, and

pin means selectively positionable within said aligned holes forpreventing movement of said bar relative to said sleeve.

ll. A device for selectively engaging and lifting building panelscomprising:

a first sleeve having bridging portions projecting outwardly from oneside,

a second sleeve having bridging portions projecting outwardly from oneside, said bridging portions on said first and second sleeves beingsecured together in overlapping relation and said first and secondsleeves extending substantially parallel to each other,

hooking assembly means secured between said first and second sleeves,

a supporting member slidably received in said first sleeve, saidsupporting member having a supporting flange projecting laterally ofsaid first sleeve in substantially the same direction as said bridgingportion,

a bar slidably received in said second sleeve, said bar being moveableto a position in close proximity to said supporting flange, and

locking means for selectively holding said supporting member and saidbar at predetermined positions relative to the respective sleeves.

12. The device according to claim 11 wherein said first sleeve and saidsupporting member are substantially rectangular in cross-section,thereby restricting rotation of said supporting member relative to saidfirst sleeve.

13. The device according to claim 11 wherein said second sleeve and saidbar are substantially rectangular in cross-section, thereby restrictingrotation of said bar relative to said second sleeve.

14. The device according to claim 11 wherein said bridging portionsinclude a plurality of holes, and said bridging portions are securedtogether by a plurality of bolts extending through aligned ones of saidholes, whereby the distance between said first sleeve and said secondsleeve may be selectively adjusted by aligning different ones of saidholes and secured by means of said bolts.

15. The device according to claim 14 wherein said hooking assembly meansincludes an elongated plate member extending substantially parallel tosaid first and second sleeves, said plate member being secured to saidbridging portions by said bolts.

16. The device according to claim 11 wherein said selective lockingmeans includes a plurality of holes spaced longitudinally in saidsupporting member and said bar, and includes aligned holes in said firstsleeve and said second sleeve, and includes pins extending through saidaligned holes in said sleeves and through one of said holes in therespective supporting member i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATEOF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,732,771 Dated Fgbmgagy 4 vI974 Inven flCharlev H. Moore It is certified that 'error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

The inventor's name should read as follows:

CHARLEY H; MOORE Signed and sealed this .llflsh day of May 1971}.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHEH,JR. I C. MARSHALL .DANN Attesting Officer v ICommissioner o1" Patents

1. A device for vertically lifting pre-constructed building panels, saidpanels having frame members extending along the top and bottom, thedevice comprising: support means having a portion thereof engagable withan undersurface of the top frame member, said support means including asleeve member having at least one hole therethrough, a support memberslidably positioned within said sleeve member and having a plurality ofholes therein, said holes in said members being selectively alignable,and locking pin means passing through said aligned holes for selectivelypreventing relative movement between said support member and said sleevemember, capturing means selectively cooperating with said support meansfor preventing disengagement of said top frame member from said supportmeans portion when said member is engaged by said portion, adjustmentmeans acting between said support means and said capturing means forreceiving panels of varying depths therebetween, and said capturingmeans including lifting means for vertically raising a panel securedwithin said device.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein saidsupport member includes an inwardly projecting flange means forsupporting the undersurface of the top frame member.
 3. A device forvertically lifting pre-constructed building panels, said panels havingframe members extending along the top and bottom, the device comprising:support means having a portion thereof engageable with an undersurfaceof the top frame member, capturing means selectively cooperating withsaid support means for preventing disengagement of said top frame memberfrom said support means portion when said member is engaged by saidportion, said capturing means including a bar member having a laterallyextending plate thereon for selectively interacting with said supportmeans, said support means including a sleeve portion, said bar memberbeing slidaBle therein, said sleeve portion and said bar member beingprovided with alignable holes therethrough, and pin means selectivelypositionable within said aligned holes for preventing movement of saidbar member relative to said support means, adjustment means actingbetween said support means and said capturing means for receiving panelsof varying depths therebetween, and said capturing means includinglifting means for vertically raising a panel secured within said device.4. The device according to claim 3 wherein said adjustment meansincludes: interfitting bridging portions on each of said capturing meansand said support means, said interfitting bridging portion beingprovided with a plurality of alignable holes, and securing means passingthrough said aligned holes for preventing further movement thereof. 5.The device according to claim 4 wherein said securing means comprises aplurality of bolts.
 6. A panel elevating and positioning deviceengageable with a beamed edge of a predetermined building panelcomprising: a main support member, an elongated tubular member slidablewithin said support member, said tubular member having a flange thereonfor providing a support surface for the beamed edge of the panel beingelevated, a vertically positionable capturing member slidable withinsaid main support member for enclosing an open side of said beamed edgeand preventing the disengagement thereof from said support member, andlifting means associated with said support member through which verticallifting forces may be transmitted through said device to said panel. 7.The device according to claim 6 further comprising: adjustment means onsaid support member for adjusting the spacing between said tubularmember and said capturing member.
 8. The device according to claim 6wherein said support member includes: a sleeve member having at leastone hole therethrough, said tubular member being slidably positionedwithin said sleeve member and having a plurality of holes therein, saidholes in said members being selectively alignable, and locking pin meanspassing through said aligned holes for selectively preventing relativemovement between said tubular member and said sleeve member.
 9. Thedevice according to claim 7 wherein said adjustment means includes:interfitting bridging portions on said support member, said interfittingbridging portions being provided with a plurality of alignable holes,and securing bolts passing through said aligned holes for preventingfurther movement thereof.
 10. The device according to claim 6 whereinsaid capturing member includes: a bar having a laterally extending platethereon for selectively interacting with said tubular member, saidsupport member including a sleeve portion, said bar being slidabletherein, said sleeve and said bar being provided with alignable holestherethrough, and pin means selectively positionable within said alignedholes for preventing movement of said bar relative to said sleeve.
 11. Adevice for selectively engaging and lifting building panels comprising:a first sleeve having bridging portions projecting outwardly from oneside, a second sleeve having bridging portions projecting outwardly fromone side, said bridging portions on said first and second sleeves beingsecured together in overlapping relation and said first and secondsleeves extending substantially parallel to each other, hooking assemblymeans secured between said first and second sleeves, a supporting memberslidably received in said first sleeve, said supporting member having asupporting flange projecting laterally of said first sleeve insubstantially the same direction as said bridging portion, a barslidably received in said second sleeve, said bar being moveable to aposition in close proximity to said supporting flange, and locking meansfor selectively holdIng said supporting member and said bar atpredetermined positions relative to the respective sleeves.
 12. Thedevice according to claim 11 wherein said first sleeve and saidsupporting member are substantially rectangular in cross-section,thereby restricting rotation of said supporting member relative to saidfirst sleeve.
 13. The device according to claim 11 wherein said secondsleeve and said bar are substantially rectangular in cross-section,thereby restricting rotation of said bar relative to said second sleeve.14. The device according to claim 11 wherein said bridging portionsinclude a plurality of holes, and said bridging portions are securedtogether by a plurality of bolts extending through aligned ones of saidholes, whereby the distance between said first sleeve and said secondsleeve may be selectively adjusted by aligning different ones of saidholes and secured by means of said bolts.
 15. The device according toclaim 14 wherein said hooking assembly means includes an elongated platemember extending substantially parallel to said first and secondsleeves, said plate member being secured to said bridging portions bysaid bolts.
 16. The device according to claim 11 wherein said selectivelocking means includes a plurality of holes spaced longitudinally insaid supporting member and said bar, and includes aligned holes in saidfirst sleeve and said second sleeve, and includes pins extending throughsaid aligned holes in said sleeves and through one of said holes in therespective supporting member and bar.